Floating Connection Fastening System

ABSTRACT

A floating connection fastening system employs a semi-flexible floating bushing having a sleeve with an axial slot which captures a fastener having a head, an unthreaded shank portion, a threaded portion and an intermediate reamer. An offset cap mounts to the bushing/fastener assembly and receives a driver bit. The offset cap defines an offset clearance. The floating connection is installed by driving the fastener through a non-load bearing member so as to form a bore and threadably engage a load bearing member. The floating bushing has a flange which engages the surface of the non-load bearing member, and the sleeve is entirely received in the formed bore. The offset attachment functions to provide a clearance so that upon termination of driving the fastener, the head of the fastener sits proud relative to the non-load bearing member. The installation is accomplished in essentially a one-step procedure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/815,546 filed on Mar. 8, 2019.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to devices and techniques for implementing a floating connection. More particularly, this disclosure relates to fastening systems which employ a floating connection to secure a non-load bearing wall to a truss or load bearing structure.

In some construction techniques, interior non-load bearing walls are typically framed approximately 1½ inch to ¾ inch below the load bearing components, such as, for example, floor joists, floor trusses, roof trusses, etc. The gap allows the load bearing components to deflect under pre-designed loads. The non-load bearing wall still requires bracing against lateral movement which is the principal objective of fastening between the non-load bearing wall and the truss or load bearing structures.

It is a well-known characteristic that if the non-load bearing walls are built flush to the underside of the load bearing components, the walls potentially become load bearing or quasi-load bearing. Such characteristics result in the transfer of load to structural components which, over time, typically result in dips in floors, cracking of finished work and failure of various components.

It is also possible that the load bearing structure may deflect upwardly relative to a partition wall. In the latter instance, the wall may be displaced upwardly or otherwise displaced. Consequently, for many installations, it is desired to implement a floating connection between a non-load bearing wall and a load bearing member by both creating a gap between the top of the non-load bearing wall and the underside of the load bearing member and/or creating a gap at the underside of the wall top plate between the head or flange of the fastener and the underside of the top plate so that, upon driving, the fastener sits proud relative to the bottom of the top plate.

As used herein, the phrase “floating connection” refers to a connection which accommodates relative vertical movement between connected structures, but limits movement in the lateral and transverse direction.

One technique for implementing a floating connection between a generally vertical non-load bearing wall and a generally horizontal load bearing wall involves usage of a specially configured fastener. One such representative fastener has a head with a flange-like tapered underside and a shank which has a non-threaded axially extended portion adjacent the flange. The unthreaded portion has a slip surface or Teflon™-like coating to facilitate sliding along the unthreaded portion. The fastener has an intermediate knurl and a threaded portion at the distal end. The head and flange have a diameter which is greater than the unthreaded portion. Upon driving the fastener in the top plate assembly of the non-load bearing interior wall, the knurl forms a bore which is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the unthreaded portion of the fastener. The fastener is driven into the truss or support member so that the thread engages into the support member and the head only engages against the underside of the top plate or projects below the underside of the top plate to form a slight gap which is typically on the order of ½ to ¾ inches. The unthreaded portion of the fastener thus slides in the bore relative to the non-load bearing member.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,360,032 discloses a fastener assembly specifically configured to connect a non-load bearing wall to a truss. The fastener assembly comprises a fastener which has a head and an axially extending shank which has an unthreaded shank portion and a threaded shank portion adjacent the distal end. A sleeve is retained on the fastener and disposed about the unthreaded shank portion. The sleeve is axially displaceable or slidable along the unthreaded shank portion. The sleeve is typically a plastic member with one end engageable against the upper end of the threaded portion and the other end engageable against a flange or a tapered neck disposed adjacent the head.

The unthreaded shank portion extends an axial length which is greater than the longitudinal length of the sleeve. The disclosed fastener assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 9,360,032 is employed for implementing a floating connection between a non-load bearing wall and a load bearing component.

It should be appreciated that the floating connection for all installations is replicated numerous times to complete the installation.

The present disclosure involves a fastening system for efficiently implementing a floating connection between a non-load bearing member and a load bearing member to provide a reliable and durable floating connection.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, a floating connection installation system employs an installation assembly comprising an adaptor in the form of an offset cap. The cap has a central first axis and a distal reference flange perpendicular to and coaxial with the first axis. The adaptor also has a coaxial coupling recess and defines a proximal opening. A floating bushing comprises a semi-flexible sleeve having a second central axis and a coaxial locating flange disposed about the second axis. The locating flange also has a notch. The locating flange is receivable in the coupling recess. The floating sleeve has a generally cylindrical inside surface interrupted by an axial slot extending from the notch to a floating sleeve terminus.

The adaptor opening has a polygonal axially extending shape. A driver bit is received in the adaptor and extends through the opening to define an offset clearance relative to the reference flange.

A preferred fastener has a head, an unthreaded portion, a reamer and a distal threaded portion. The floating bushing captures the fastener, and the head is engageable by the driver bit. A driver has a chuck which receives a shank of the bit so that the adaptor and driver are rotatably fixed. The driver bit has a socket which engages the fastener head and the driver is energized to apply a torque to the fastener.

The fastener is driven through a non-load bearing member into a load bearing member to provide a floating connection between the non-load bearing member and the load bearing member. During driving, the fastener forms a bore in the non-load bearing member, and the sleeve is entirely received in a portion of the bore. The floating bushing locating flange engages the non-load bearing member. The fastener is driven to a proud position offset or spaced from the non-load bearing member. The offset position is pre-established by the adaptor.

In one embodiment, the floating sleeve has an exterior thread and the adaptor has a key engageable in the floating sleeve notch.

A method for installing a floating connection comprises engaging an adaptor with a driver bit having a reference flange defining an offset clearance and a received floating bushing with a captured fastener. The method comprises driving the fastener to form a bore in a non-load bearing member and threadably engaging a load bearing member so that the sleeve is received in a portion of the bore.

The installation method comprises driving the fastener through a non-load bearing member into a load bearing member so that the sleeve is entirely retained in the load bearing member, and there is an offset clearance of the fastener head. The installation method further comprises engaging a flange of the floating bushing against the underside surface of the non-load bearing member. The installation method comprises ultimately engaging the reference flange of the adaptor against a surface of the non-load bearing member.

A floating connection installation assembly comprises an adaptor comprising an offset cap defining a central first axis and having a distal reference flange perpendicular to the first axis. The adaptor has a coaxial coupling recess and a proximal axial opening which receives a driver bit. A floating bushing has a semi-flexible sleeve and a locating flange receivable in the coupling recess. The locating flange has a notch. The floating sleeve has a generally cylindrical inside surface interrupted by an axial slot extending from the notch. A preferred fastener has a head, a shank extending from the head with an unthreaded portion, a threaded terminal portion and an intermediate reamer. The floating bushing captures the fastener. The unthreaded portion of the fastener extends through the sleeve wherein the fastener is rotatably and axially slidable along the unthreaded portion, and the sleeve captures the fastener between the head and the reamer.

The driver and the reference flange define an offset clearance. The locating flange has a notch extending to the axial slot. In one embodiment, the adaptor has a key which is engageable in the notch.

When the locating flange is received in the coupling recess, the reference flange and the locating flange have coplanar surfaces. The inside surface of the sleeve has a uniform sleeve diameter and the reamer has a maximum diameter greater than the sleeve diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating connection assembly comprising a fastener, a floating bushing and a driver attachment assembly in engaged relationship;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the floating connection assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the floating connection assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an opposite elevational view of the floating connection assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a third perspective view of the floating connection assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the floating connection assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a central sectional view of the floating connection assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the driver attachment assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the floating bushing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly broken away and partly representational, of a driver, an attachment assembly, a fastener and a floating bushing in assembled driving relationship;

FIG. 12 is a representational sectional view of an installed floating connection;

FIG. 13 is a representational elevational view of the installed floating connection of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a representational sectional view of the installed floating connection of FIG. 12 from a 90° perspective thereof;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the floating connection of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a second perspective view of the installed floating connection of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a second embodiment of an offset cap;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view through the offset cap of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a floating bushing; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a floating connection assembly comprising a second embodiment of the offset cap and the floating bushing of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures, a floating connection fastening system employs a fastener 10, a floating bushing 20 (FIG. 9) or 30 (FIG. 19) mounted to or capturing the fastener, and a driver offset adaptor 50 which mounts a driver bit 60 and receives the fastener/sleeve assembly. A driver 70 (FIG. 11) has a chuck which engages the driver bit and rotatably drives the fastener. The principal innovative components are the floating bushings 20, 30 and the cooperating adaptor 50. As described herein, “upper” and “lower” refer to preferred installation orientations for descriptive purposes and should not be deemed limiting.

With additional reference to FIGS. 6 and 10, the connection system is described in terms of a representative preferred fastener 10 configured to form a bore and to connect a non-load bearing member to a load bearing member. The fastener 10 preferably has a six inch axial length which includes a hex head 12 and an integral retaining washer or a flange 13 adjacent a tapered frustro-conical neck 14. Other head, retainer flange/neck configurations are possible. An unthreaded cylindrical shank portion 15 axially extends approximately 4 inches from the neck 14. A threaded portion 18 extends to a threaded distal tip 19. The fastener preferably has an intermediate reamer 16 having diametrically protruding bore forming blades. In a preferred embodiment, the maximum diameter of the head 12 and the unthreaded portion 15 are 0.26 inches and 0.020 inches, respectively. The major diameters of the reamer 16 and threaded portion 18 are 0.24 inches and 0.26 inches, respectively. Naturally, other fastener configurations which have an unthreaded shank portion and have different dimensions are possible.

A slidable bushing 20 or 30 is configured to mount onto and surround the unthreaded shank portion 15 of the fastener to thereby capture the fastener prior to installation. The bushing 20 or 30 essentially functions to axially slide relative to the unthreaded shank portion 15 which, post installation, may axially move. Each bushing 20, 30 is preferably formed from plastic and has a semi-flexible sleeve 21, 31 which extends approximately ⅞ to one inch with an outer diameter less than the outside diameter of the head flange 13. Each sleeve 21, 31 in a normal non-flexed condition has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the unthreaded portion 15 and less than the maximum diameters of the flange 13 and reamer 16. The bushing 20 or 30 axially retains the fastener by the opposed sleeve ends 23, 25 or 33, 35, respectively engaging the reamer 16 and the flange 13 and/or the neck 14.

With additional reference to FIG. 9, bushing 20 is a semi-flexible plastic member having a lower quasi-annular flange 22 defining a notch 24 and a generally perpendicularly projecting semi-flexible sleeve 21. The sleeve 21 has a longitudinal slot 26 extending from the notch to the terminus of the sleeve. The sleeve 21 has a cylindrical inner surface 28 interrupted by the slot 26. The sleeve 21 is configured so that it can be easily snapped over the unthreaded portion 15 of the fastener and is retained to the fastener by the flange 22 engaging the lower portion of the fastener neck/flange and the upper end 23 engaging an upper projecting portion of the reamer 16 and by the resilience of the sleeve which returns to its normal shape. The notch 24 may also facilitate capturing the fastener. Upon installation, the sleeve 21 is driven into the fastener bore of the non-load bearing member and flange 22 engages the underside surface of the non-load bearing member.

With additional reference to FIG. 19, semi-flexible bushing 30 is similar in form and function to bushing 20 except that sleeve 31 has an exterior thread 39. Bushing 30 has a lower flange 32 with a notch 34 and sleeve 31 is traversed by a longitudinal slot 36. The inner surface 38 substantially cylindrical except for the axial slot. Again, bushing 30 is configured so that sleeve 31 snaps over and slides along and is rotatable about the unthreaded upper portion 15 of the fastener and is also axially slidable along with the unthreaded upper portion. Upon installation, the sleeve 31 is rotatably driven into the fastener formed bore of the non-load bearing member and flange 32 engages the underside surface of the non-load bearing member.

The offset adaptor 50 functions to receive a driver bit 60 to form an attachment assembly 65 rotatably couplable with the fastener 10 captured by the receivably mounted bushing 20 or 30. With reference to FIG. 11, upon mounting the assembly 65 to a torque driver 70 and driving the attachment assembly/fastener/bushing, a pre-established proud head position of the fastener is ultimately implemented, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-16.

With additional reference to FIGS. 5-8, the offset adaptor 50 comprises a bell-like enclosure or cap having a central axis A. The enclosure terminates at an annular reference flange 52 normal to and coaxial with the axis A. The enclosure has a quasi-cylindrical portion 54 which upwardly tapers to form a central axial opening 56. The opening 56 has a polygonal shape complementary to a shank portion of the driver bit. A coupling recess 58 coaxial with axis A is formed at the end of the adaptor. Coupling recess 58 is complementary to the flange 22 or 32 of the bushing 20 or 30.

With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, for adaptor 50′, a key 59 projects radially inwardly to interrupt the recess 58. The key 59 (FIG. 20) is generally complementary with the notch 24 or 34 of the bushing flange 22 or 32 so that upon reception of the coupled flange 22 or 32 by the adaptor 50′, the adaptor 50 and bushing 20 or 30 are rotatably locked. In some embodiments wherein the sleeve has no exterior threads (such as sleeve 21), the key is omitted and there is no rotational locking between the cap or adaptor 50 and the bushing 20. Upon driving the fastener, there may be limited rotation of the bushing 20 due to friction between the flange 22 and the adaptor 50.

The driver bit 60 has a socket 62 adapted to engage the hex head 12 of the fastener. Naturally, the bit/fastener head engagement may be configured differently if the fastener torque engagement portion has a different structure. The bit has a polygonal shank portion 64 of uniform polygonal cross-section is closely received in the opening 56. The bit 60 and adaptor 50 are thus rotatably fixed. The bit shank axially projects from the adaptor and has a proximal engagement end 66. With reference to FIG. 11, the bit shank end 66 is received by the chuck 72 of a torque driver 70 which may be of numerous conventional forms.

The driver bit is retained to the housing so that it forms an interior stop with a clearance C as indicated in FIG. 8. Because of the pre-established clearance C, when the fastener is driven, the reference flange 52 ultimately engages the underside of the header H or support member, and the fastener head is torqued to drive the fastener 10 (and sleeve) so that the flange 22 or 32 carried by the cap in coupling recess 58 ultimately engages the underside of the non-load bearing member and the head essentially sits proud relative to the non-load bearing member or is offset by clearance C.

With reference to FIGS. 12-16 the bushing 20 and captured fastener 10 are installed as a unit. Upon driving and installing the fastener 10, the bushing 20 remains mounted to the fastener, and the bushing and fastener function to provide the floating connection installation between a load bearing structure, such as a truss, and a non-load bearing structure, such as a partition or interior wall. The installation is accomplished in a one-step procedure in which the fastener 10 forms a bore B in the header H or non-load bearing member as it is driven into the load bearing member such as truss T. The sleeve 21 of the bushing is forced into the bore B during the driving step via a combination of friction from the fastener and a direct pushing force from the adapter 50. The sleeve 21 is received along with the adjacent unthreaded portion of the fastener in the fastener bore B of the non-load bearing member. Upon installation, the sleeve 21 or 31 does not extend the entire axial length of the formed bore B.

The bushing 30 rotates with the driver and adaptor 50′ as the fastener is driven. The exterior surface of sleeve 31 and the thread 39 frictionally engage the non-load bearing member bore B. Sleeve 31 may slightly thread or engage into the structure adjacent the non-load bearing member bore.

When installed by the embodiment of the adapter 50 (without a key like element 59 in the adapter 50′), the bushing 20, for the most part, does not rotate or only slightly rotates when the fastener is driven. Once the fastener is threaded into the load bearing member, the unthreaded portion of the fastener is slidable relative to the inner surface of the sleeve 21 or 31. The attachment assembly 65 comprising adaptor 50 and driver bit 60 is disengaged from the fastener head 12 of the implemented floating connection and is reusable with multiple captured fastener/bushings for multiple subsequent floating connection installations.

For preferred embodiments, wherein the floating bushing 20 does not have an exterior thread, it is not required that the bushing rotate with the adaptor. For such embodiments, the described key/notch configuration and engagement is not required.

While preferred embodiments of the foregoing floating connection fastening system have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A floating connection installation assembly comprising: an adaptor comprising an offset enclosure defining a central first axis and a proximal axial opening and having a distal reference flange defining a coaxial coupling recess; and a bushing having a sleeve defining a second central axis and having a locating flange disposed about said second axis and defining a notch, said locating flange receivable in said coupling recess, said floating sleeve having a generally cylindrical inside surface.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the floating sleeve is interrupted by an axial slot extending from said notch to a floating sleeve terminus.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the reference flange is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said floating sleeve has an exterior thread.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a driver bit received in said adaptor and extending through said opening to define a clearance relative to said reference flange.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising a fastener having a head, an unthreaded portion, a bore forming reamer, and a distal threaded portion, wherein said floating sleeve is mounted to the unthreaded portion and said head is engageable by said driver bit.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising a driver having a chuck which receives a shank of said driver bit so that said adaptor and driver are rotatably fixed.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said fastener is driven through a non-load bearing member into a load bearing member to provide a floating connection between said load bearing member and said non-load bearing member wherein said fastener forms a bore in said non-load bearing member and said floating sleeve is entirely received in said bore.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said fastener is driven to a clearance position offset from said non-load bearing member and said clearance position is established by the relationship between said reference flange and said driver bit.
 10. A method for installing a floating connection comprising: engaging an adaptor with a driver bit and having a reference flange defining an offset clearance and a received floating bushing having a sleeve with a captured fastener; and driving the fastener thereby forming a bore in a non-load bearing member and threadably engaging a load bearing member so that the sleeve is received in the bore.
 11. The installation method of claim 10, further comprising driving the fastener through a non-load bearing member into a load bearing member so that the sleeve is entirely retained in a portion of the non-load bearing member bore and the head is spaced from the non-load bearing member by the offset clearance.
 12. The installation method of claim 11, further comprising engaging a flange of said floating bushing against a surface of said non-load bearing member.
 13. The installation method of claim 10, further comprising engaging said reference flange against a surface of the non-load bearing member.
 14. A floating connection installation assembly, comprising: an adaptor having an offset housing defining a central first axis and a proximal axial opening and having a distal annular reference flange defining a coaxial coupling recess; a bushing comprising a sleeve defining a second axis and having a locating flange disposed about said second axis, said locating flange receivable in said coupling recess; and a fastener having a head, a shank with an unthreaded portion extending from said head and having a threaded terminal portion and an intermediate reamer, said unthreaded portion extending through said floating sleeve, wherein said fastener is rotatably and axially slidable along said unthreaded portion and said fastener is captured by said bushing between said head and said reamer.
 15. The installation assembly of claim 14, wherein said sleeve has a generally cylindrical inside surface interrupted by an axial slot.
 16. The installation assembly of claim 14, wherein said driver bit and said reference flange define an offset clearance.
 17. The installation assembly of claim 14, wherein said locating flange has a notch extending to said axial slot.
 18. The installation assembly of claim 17, wherein said adaptor has a key engageable in said notch.
 19. The installation assembly of claim 14, wherein when said locating flange is received in said coupling recess, and said reference flange and said locating flange have coplanar surfaces.
 20. The installation assembly of claim 14, wherein said inside surface has a uniform sleeve diameter and said reamer has a maximum diameter greater than said sleeve diameter. 